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DUTCHESS COUNTY 
COLONIAL DAYS. 



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fiON. A! . i^L») r ACKERT. 



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DUTCHESS COUNTY IN COLONIAL DAYS. 



Paper read by Hon. Alfred T. Ackert before "The Dutchess Coanty Society in 
tbe City of New York," at their second annual Banquet held at the Waldorf- 
Astoria. Feb. 28. 1898 

Mr. President, Members of the Society and Honored guests: 

Tbe Historian of this society is required by the By Laws "to colleot all 
historical and otber documents of interest relating to the history of Dutchess 
County" and consequently is expected on public occasions to state that which 
may bw of interest and information. 

I accepted tbis honorable and laborious position with positive reluctance, 
realizing my inability to meet tbe expectations of a membership so well in- 
formed on matters pertaining to our native county. There is nothing new 
to be stated. I can only collate and abbreviate for this occasion what is already 
of record. 

The first General Assembly of the Province of New York was organized 
under the administration of Governor Dongan, who, by virtue of his commis-. 
siou as Governor, and under instructions contained tbereiii, caused on his 
arrival to be issued to the respective sberiflfs of the Province, writs for the 
summoning of the Freeholders fo choose representatives to meet him in General 
Assembly in the city of New York on October 17, 1683 and tbis assembly con- 
stituted tlie firet representative legislative body in the Colony of New York. 
At a meeting of this General Assembly held at Fort James in tbis city on No 
vember 1. 1683, an Act was passed dividing the Province of New York, into 
twelve counties, viz New York, Westchester, Ulster, Albany, Dutchess, Or- 
ange, Richmond, Kings, Queens, Suffolk, Dukes and Cornwall. 

By this Act, the boundaries of Dutchess County are declared "to bee from 
the bounds of the County of Westchester on the South side of the Higiilands 
along the East side of Hudson's Rivers as far as Roelof Janseus Creek, and 
Eastward into the woods twenty miles. 

The bounds of Westchester and Albany Counties were first stated in the 
Act; Westchester, Northward, along Hndsous River as farr as the Highlands; 
Albany on East side of Hudson River from Roelof Janseus Creek: the land be- 
tween was named Dutchess, in honor, it is supposed to the Duchess of York. 
I can find no proof of any settlements within these boundaries at this date. 

By another Act, passed October 1, 1691, entitled an Act to divide the Prov- 
ince into Shires and Counties, and to prevent mistakes about the limits and 
bounds, these boundaries are stated in the same language, excepting that the 



worilfl Kftstward into tlie woods twenty niile.^, nrn ropluoe*! 1>3' tlio woiils '"East- 
ward into tbe woods Twelve milep.' This act was ooufirmed by the King 
May 20, 1708. 

Dutcbfss Couoty at first was provisionally annexed to Ulster, the otfioials 
of Ulster being officials of Dutchess, and Kingston, the place where court 
business was tranhacted. The County, as such, was not repres^outed in the Gen- 
eraly Assembly, of the Province until 1713, twenty years after its creation. 

Id this yeur, (October 23. 1713.) the Freeholders and inhabitants of the re- 
spective counties of the Province were authorized to electa Supervisor, a Treas- 
urer, Assessors and Collector for the respective preiiinets thereof. Dutchess 
County, ut this time constituted but a single Preoiuct. 

Livingston Manor was taken from Dutohess in 1717, annexed to what was 
then Albany County and from which Columbia County was subsequently 
takeu. 

Putnam County was not created and taken from Dutchess until 1812. 

By Act of the General Assembly (passed July 21, 1715, a County House 
and Prison in Dutchess County within the colony, was authorized to be erect- 
ed by two able and sufficient freeholders to be elected for that purpose and to be 
erected at such convenient place as to them shall be meet andcouvei)ieul7in//i- 
in t-oo years thereafter and that there be raised a sum of monej, as they think 
necessary "Provided the same do not exceed the sum of Two Hundred and 
Fifty ounces of good Mexico Pillar or Sevr'U Plate." 

This Act seemingly was not carried into effect for on May 27, 1717, another 
Act was passed for building a County House and Prison at or near the most 
convenient plae.e at Poughkeepsie by two able, and sufficient freeholders to 
he elected for that purpose, and to be erected within three years after the pub- 
lication of the Act, tlie cost not to exceed the sum of Two Hundred and Fif- 
ty ounces of good Mexico Pillar or Sevil Plate, or value thereof in Bills of 
Credit made current in this Colony." 

On December 17, 1743 an Act was passed to enable the Justices of the 
Peace to build a Court House and Goal, or to enlarge and repair the old 
cue and £300 authorized to be raised for that purpose and In this act the East 
Linen of the Four Several Precincts South, Beek?nan's, Crom Elbow and 
North Precincts were declared to extend as far Eastward as to the Colony Line 
of Connecticut or as this Colony doth extend. 

£300 additional authorized tocomplete the Court House or Goal in 1745. £130 
additional to complete same in 1750 and 50 £ to finish same in 1753. 

In 1700, 70£ was authorized for converfiug a jury room into a jail. In 
1764 200 £ additional was authorized for the jail. This Court House and Jail 
was di.stroyed by fire in 1785. 

The County having increased in inhabitants since the Act of October 1713 
authorizing the election of Supervisor, an Act was passed June 24, 1719 divid- 
ing the County into three divisions the South from the South aide of the High- 



Ifimls to Wapin^ers Creek; tbe Middie from VVapiugers Creek to Cline Sopaa 
Island; aud the North Divisioo from North Side of Middle Division to north- 
erly bounds of the County, and a Supervisor authorized for each Division. 

In a certain Act passed July 24, 1724, to prevent dauiHge by swine, these Di- 
visions of the County are referred to as Wards and a General Pound directed to 
be created at the public charge in each Ward. In 1728 Aug. 31, an Act was 
passed that "no swine small nor great shall or may run at large upon any pre- 
tence or excuse whatsoever under the penalty that it may or shall be lawful 
for any person or persons who shall find any swine in the County of Dutchess 
running at large as aforesaid after the 10th day of Oct. (Except in the fields or 
meadows of the owners of said swine) to shoot, kill and destroy any swine great 
or small without being in any ways accountable to the owners of such swine 
and that this act be in force for twoyoars and no longer. The act was found 
beneficial aud continued four years longer. It was renewed in 173Gto be in force 
until 1745 and no longer. 

It must not be forgutten that Dutchess county was an agricultural county. 
The Great Seal ie representative of a plow and stems of ripened wheat. 

An ordinance creating a Court of Common Pleas and a Court of General 
Sessions of the Peace was granted by Governor Burnet, July 6, 1721. Pre- 
vious to this the inhabitants were subject as stated to the jurisdiction of the 
Justices of Ulster County. 

The Courts were to be held at Poughkeepsie near the center of the said coun- 
ty, a General Sessions of the Peace on the third Tuesday of May, and the third 
Tuesday in October, yearly and every ye&rfore7'er, which General Sessions of 
the Peace in every year shall not continue longer than two days and that 
from henceforth there shall be held and kept at Poughkeepsie near the center of 
said county, a court of Common Pleas to begin the next after the courts of Gen- 
eral Sessions of the Peace terminates. 

An act for regulating the Rutts of wagons in Dutchess county was passed 
June 22nd, 1734, to bo 4 feet 10 inches English measure from the outside of the 
wheel to outside of other wheel no more no less, under a penalty of 20 shil- 
lings to the profit of the informer. 

The inhabitants hud so much increased and many other new settlements 
made since the Act of [une 24tb, 1719, creating three Divisions that it became 
necessary for the convenience of the inhabitants that the County should be 
divided into more Precincts. Therefore it was enacted December 16th, 
1737 that the said (lounty shall be divided into seven Precincts in the fol- 
lowing manner. 

The South Precinct to contain all that part of the High Lands which is 
granted by Patent to Adolph Phillipse Esq. 

The Romhout or Fishkill Precinct to contain all that part of the Patent Grant- 
ed to Rombont & Company that Lyeth to the South and South Eastward of 
Wappingwrs Kill or creek. 



Beekman Precinct to contain all tbut laud that was granted to Coll Heniy 
Beekman deceased lying to the rear of the Patent granted to Francis Rom- 
bout <fe Company. 

Poitghkcepsie Precinct to contnin all the binds to the North West of VVap- 
pinger's Kill or Creek from the mouth thereof and up along the said Kill or 
Creek and Hudson's River until it meets the Patent Granted to Heathcoat 
& Company called the Lower Nine Partners. 

CromeWow Precinct to contain all the lands granted to the said Heathcoat k 
Company called the Lower Nine Partners and also all the land granted to 
Peter Fanconier & Company in Pawlings purchase, and as far to the North- 
ward as a due East line run from the North end of little Esopus Island to the 
Cromelbow Kill or Creek. 

Rhinebeck Precinct to contain all the lands purchased of the Widow Pawling 
and her children by Doctor Samuel Staats deceased, All the land granted to 
Adrian Roosa k Company. The land Patented by Colls Henry Beekman de- 
ceased and the lauds granted by Patent to Colls Peter Schuyler commonly call- 
ed Magdalens Island Purchase. 

The North East Precinct to contain all the lauds granted to Sampson 
Broughton «& Company commonly called the npper Nine Partners. 

This Act repealed the Act of June 24, 1719 and the title of Precinct was there- 
after applied to the respective Divisions of the county and beyond the Col- 
onial period. 

Croinelbo Precinct was divided into Amenia and Charlotte Precincts by Act 
of March 20, 1762 and there was no Crnmelbow Precinct after this date. 

Beekmans Precinct was divided by taking and creating Pawling Precinct 
therefrom, May 20, 1769. 

South Precinct was divided into Philips Precinct, Frederickburg Precinct 
and South East Precinct on March 24, 1772. 

These are all and the only divisionsof the county previous to the Revolution. 

Overseers of the poor were authorized to be elected by the Act of Dec. 7. 1754. 

The record of the population during the Colonial period is not complete or 
satisfactory. I have mude a memoraudum of what 1 could gather. 

The number of inhabitants in 1714 including men, women and children was 
only 445 of whom 29 were slaves. 

In 1723, including 43 Blacks was 1083. 

In 1731, including 112 Blacks was 1,727. 

In 1737, including 262 Blacks was 3,418. 

The list of freeholderti in the couuty as certified to by Sheriff Wilson in 
1740, contained only 235 names of Freeholders. 

In 1746, Goveruf)r Clinuju ordered a census to be taken throughout the Prov- 
ince and the number of inhabitants returned for the County of Dutchess was 
8,806, including 500 Blacks. 

In 1749, the population is stated to have been 7,912 including 421 Blacks. 



Here is au appareot decrease witliin tbree jears ol nearly one thousand. 

In 1756, the population, including 859 Blacks was returned by tbe Sheriff 
as 14,148 

In 1771, the population, including 1,360 Blacks was 22,404. 

There are no battle-fields within the county Stone, in his history of New 
York mentions that rioting existed in Dutchess County in 1766 having been 
started by some Indians who were juined by worthless whites, and which riot- 
ing, extended to Albany County (now Columbia.) That the Commauder in- 
chief of his majesty's forces in America, Gen. Gage, ordered up the 28th Reg't. 
lately arrived from England to meet the insurgents who were brought to reason, 
and tbe ring-leaders brought to New York. 

On June 29, 1703, au Act was passed for the laying out, regulating, clearing 
and preserviug public common highways throughout the colony; it includes 
one other public commou general highway to extond from Kings Bridge in the 
County of Westchester through the same County of Westchester, Dutchess Coun- 
ty and the County of Albany (now Columbia County) of the breath of four 
rods English measure at the least, to be continued and remain forever the pub- 
lic General common road and highway from Kings Bridge aforesaid to the Fer- 
ry at Crawlew uver against the city of Albany. Commissioner were named 
iu the act to supervise the laying out of the road through their respective coun- 
ties. This 18 the origin of what we now know as the New York and Albany 
postroad. 

We are all aware that the province of New York in Colonial days, and 
Dutchess C<)unt.y iu particular, was infested with wolves and panthers. 

The traveling menagerie of to-day, with its cages of wolves and panthers for 
exhibition, would not have interested our ancestors. 

There were two general acts passed by the Colonial government giving to 
magistrates, iu the several counties, authority to give rewards for the killing 
of wolves. The first of these acts was passed November 1, 1683; the second, 
April 1, 1692. Subsequently, the people suflFered so greatly in loss of horses 
and cattle from wolves which infested Dutchess (Jouiity, that, for the better re- 
lief of which an act was passed June 24, 1719, giving to any person who should 
kill a wolf and carry the head to any Justice of the Peace in said county, the 
sum of ten shillings, and to any Indian for such killing, tbe sum of five shillings, 
to be paid by the treasurer of the county upon sight of a certificate of the Jus- 
tice, which the Justice was required to give. 

(It seems that the county was only benefited one half as much for an Indian 
to kill a wolf, ae if a white man killedit.) 

By an act passed November II, 172G. any pers(m or persons, whether he be a 
Christian, Indian, or Negro, inhabiting, or sojourning within the county, who 
shall kill any wolf and carry tbe head thereof, with the skin of buch wolf, re 
maiuing thereto, to any Justice of the Peace, within tbe county, such Justice 
shall give him or them a certificate to receive of the treasurer of the county 



tlie sum of six shillings, provided the Justice shall deem and adjudge the wolf 
to have been killed ivithin three days, (time and freshness seems to be an ele- 
ment here,) and that the ears of the snid wolf shall be cut otf in the presence of 
the Justice before any such reward shall be given. 

This act was for two years and, being about to expire, it was continued by act 
of August 31, 1728, increasing the rewanl four shillings (making the reward 
ten shillings) 

These Acts having expired, and to uniform the rewards in the several counties 
so that wolves killed in one county would not be taken by avoruious people (I 
use the language of the Act) to another county where the rewards were greater, 
another Act was passed on October 14, 1732, that from the publication of tie 
Act every person, whether C/in'stian o> Slave, who shflll destroy a wolf, or its 
whelp shall receive from the county where the same is killed — for every 
grown wolf, the cnim of 12 shillings, and for every wolf under the age of one year, 
the sum of six shillings and that every nntn-e free Indian shall receive half 
the reward, if killed by them (where the record of the dafeof birth of the wolf 
was to be found, or how proven I am at a loss to know, and the same respecting 
the nativity of the Indian.) 

To further encourage the debtruction of wolves or panthers (and here the gov- 
ernment recognizes the existence of panthers within the county) for the kill- 
ing of which an Act was passed Nov. 3, 1740, oflFering a reward of 15 shillings 
for the killing of every wolf or panther, and for every whelp, the sum of eight 
shillings, but before any inhabitant shall be entitled to receive the reward, he 
shall carry the head, or heads with the entire skin thereon to a justice of the 
Peace or supervisor (they had supervisors then) dwelling in said county, and 
said Justice or Supervisor was empowered, directed and required to adminis- 
ter an oath to said inhabitant, and if a Quaker, an affirmation in words follow- 
ing: 

You, A. B., do swear or affirm that the wolf, the head whereof you now pro 
duce to me was actually taken and killed within the County of Dutchess, and 
that you are an inhabitant of the said County of Dutchess (Home rule had an 
early start in Dutchess.) The officer was then to give his certificate without 
any fee or reward. Which certificate was to contain the name of the person 
and statement of proof. Tlie ears of wolves or whelps were to be cut off iu 
the presence of the Justice or Supervisor. 

This law was for two years, and not being found sufficient to answer the 
good ends intended, another Act was passed October 29, 1742, increasing the 
reward to 20 shillings making no distinction between the killing of wolves or 
panthers, and for every whelp or whelps 10 shillings and giving the full 
reward to Indians, Negroes, or Slaves, but the person was to pay 1 shilling 6 
pence to the officer for a certi6cate. This law was for six years and found to 
answer the good ends intended and was therefore continued for six years longer 
by Act of Nov. 12, 1748. 



Jt would liave expired l)_y limitation but was coutiuued bj' Act of Dec. 12, 1753 
iiutil Jauuary 1, 1760. It was fiirtlier coatinued until January 1, 1765, by 
Act of Dec. '2,i, 1759. 

Wolves and panthers must have increased rapidly, for by an Act passed 
Oct. 2i), 1761, tbe reward is 30 shillings, for killing a wolf or panther, and 15 
shillings for killing whelp or whelps, and tbe officer was to receive no fee for 
the certiticate. This law continued until .lauy. 1, 1775, it ran out, but April 
1, same year, a similar law was enacteu giving a reward of 3 pounds (60 shillings) 
for the killiu^ of uny grown wolf or panther and 30 shillings reward for the 
killing of any wolf or panther binder t/u a^e of one year, (here again a record of 
birth would seemingly be required) this Act to continue until Jany. 1, 1785, and 
beyond Colonial days. 

Time will not permit a full sketch of matters aflfecting our native county dur- 
ing Colonial days. We now approach an interesting period in our country's 
history aud through it Dutchess County bore an honorable part. The mutter- 
ing.s of discontent in opposition to unjust taxation were heard throughout the 
land. The Revolution was approaching : soon would come the clash of arms. 

Associations were formed and the inhabitants were requested to sign articles 
of ludepeudenee or declaration of Principles which were to become the founda- 
tion of a great Nation. 

Many refused to sign and some took no part in that great struggle —not that 
they loved liberty less, but because they saw no relief from the burdensome tax- 
stion to which they were subject by the system of quit rent. Be thegoverument 
King or Congress, it would be all the, same to them. 

Tiie large land holders, or Patentees of tbe soil were generally disloyal to 
their King from whom their estates had been derived aud the tenant, with per- 
haps a life lease only of the soil he had subdued and was cultivating for profit 
to the Landlord saw no good reason to support an interest seemingly antago- 
nistic to their own. 

Had rebellion failed, the lands of the disloyal Patentee would have escheated 
to the Crown, and the indifferent farmer would have possessed his land in fee as 
his undoubted right. They would have Deen subject, however, to taxes, but 
they would have been less than Colonial tax and quit rent combined. Hence 
there were many indifferent and refused to sign the Declaration against the gov- 
ermeut. The Patriots called them Tories. The Tories called the Patriots re- 
bels 

Another reason for refusing to sign 1 take it was that they had liot forgotten 
the gracious favor which the government under good Queen Ann had shown 
in furnishin<f to mwny of their poor aud distressed ancestors passage across the 
sea 

On the other hand, the Patriot Malitia were soldieis worthy tne name and 
cause for which they fought. 

Three thousand four hundred aud eighty-five (3,485) names stand recorded 



to the credit of Dutcht'ss County of those having enlisted <luring the Revo- 
lution. 

From this record we have a right to believe that our mother county per- 
formed her full part in that struggle that overthrew the greatest of kingly 
powers and established a Government ©f the People, by the people, and for 
the people, giving to the world the greatest Republic known to History. 

The immediate results were not eo important as the future. It broke down 
at once, however, the absurd, unjust theory of the Divine Right of Kings. 

It was placing, as it were, Beacon Lights along the shore enlightening an 
oppressed world that our nation was composed of men who their duty knew 
and dared maintain aud that our example might become a pillar of hope and 
an encouragement for the oppressed of every land and through nil time. 

The Constitutional Convention of 1777 Assembled at Kingston, ratified the 
Declaration of Independence of 1776, incorporated the Declaration in full in 
the Constitution and established the first fundamental law of this state. 

It designated the number of members which each county should have in the 
Assembly which was to consist of 70 members giving 7 to Dutchess County. 

The Senate was to consist of 24 freeholders divided the State into four Sen- 
atorial districts with six members each. 

The Middle District was constituted of the counties of Dutchess, Ulster and 
Orange. 

The first and second sessions of the first Legislature of this State under this 
first Constitution, were held at Poughkeepsie in Poughkeepsie Precinct. 

The Village was not formed until 1799 nnd the city not chartered until 1854. 

During the Revolution it is stated the Poor of New York city were ctred for in 
Poughkeepsie: New York (Jity being in possession of the British 

It would be presumptions in me to write of our Civil War, when around us 
are those who braved the storm of that struggle and risked their lives in de- 
fence of our National integrity, to preserve that Uniou of States for which 
Washington and his brave army fought. 

These surviving soldiers whose nnmes are on Dutchess County's honored roll 
are better able to tell that story and recount the honors and the glories that 
surround our national history during the Civil War, and in Memoriam, from 
the grave of our martyred Lincoln to the tomb of Grant. 

Dutchess Coanty can take just pride in VVar and Peace. In her schools — in her 
churches, — in her farms, she has won honorable distinction and these interests 
combined, have established the character of her people and place her the equal of 
the best, by none surpassed, in our whole country. 

May this Society, representative i»s it is of her citizenship honor her in just- 
ice for that character she has given to us and as each succeeding year shall bring 
our membership together, may tliey come with a consciousness that they are 
her true and rightful representatives in this, the second greatest city of the 
world, — The Greater New York. 



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